A champion and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Ekaette ‘Katie’ Kern, Partner, at Media Frenzy Global, understands the term “diversity” is more than just a buzzword and inclusion is what makes any DEI initiative meaningful.
An award-winning leader in the communications industry, Ekaette has pursued and achieved success in business, leadership and community service.
Prior to joining Media Frenzy Global in 2013, Ekaette launched her own lifestyle PR agency where she guided emerging fashion and lifestyle companies by creating strategic media relationships and unique event activations to amplify their brand and increase their bottom line.
Throughout her career, Ekaette has experienced judgment, and “isms” rooted from being a woman of color in a traditionally whitewashed industry. Ekaette believes everyone plays an important role in using their voice to breakdown barriers and dismantle systemic biases, which led her to co-create Act In Solidarity. Alongside her longtime colleague and friend Lee Deas, Ekaette founded Act in Solidarity, a pledge-based initiative created to eradicate systemic racial roadblocks and positively impact opportunities for black industry professionals.
Since the launch of Act in Solidarity, Ekaette’s insights have been published in Black Enterprise, AdWeek, Forbes and PR News. Ekaette recently participated in a panel focused on Women Leadership and Board Governance at the 2nd Annual Philadelphia Diversity and Inclusion Conference, as well as the 15th Annual National Diversity and Inclusion conference in Dallas, TX where she gave insights on shared vision, accountability and communication in leadership alongside keynote speaker President Barack Obama. In 2020, Ekaette, also along with leaders from brands such as the Atlanta Hawks, Dragon Army, and Aflac, founded The A Pledge. Recognized and awarded by the American Marketing Association’s AMY Awards in the Marketing for Good category, The A Pledge is a call to Atlanta advertising and marketing agencies to come together in a committed effort to create inclusive opportunities within the PR and marketing industry. In 2022, Ekaette was appointed as Vice-Chair to the organization.
Ekaette’s commitment to improving the lives of women in business and young girls flourishes through her mentorship with Women’s Entrepreneurial Opportunity Project. Her civic involvement extends beyond her unwavering investment into rising minority leaders, a passion that landed her a role as a mentor for Live Nation’s Next Gem Femme mentorship program aimed at accelerating career opportunities and trajectories of young women of color.